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Yes. It happens every four years. The World Cup. That magical month when fans of the beautiful game feel a profound love for their high definition TV sets, and Americans are shocked into the recognition that other sports exist.

What does it look like for Team USA? Unfortunately, not too well. Besides a few core veterans the team itself lacks World Cup experience. Additionally, although a lot of the players have international exposure, only a few play for the top quality continental European clubs (Oguchi Onyewu plays for AC Milan and not a whole lot more beyond that). However, many consider the USA’s group – Group C (Algeria, England, Slovenia) - to be relatively easy this year.

Undoubtedly, their biggest match will be their first one against England. England, however, doesn’t seem that hot either. There is definitely a lot of veteran talent on that team from the English premier league, but their footballers also lack that hardcore experience playing in the best European teams with the best footballers from around the world. Related trivia: only two teams this tournament are composed of players who ONLY play in regular matches within the confines of their borders: North Korea and England. And for some reason, England seems to do poorly when it counts and their World Cup record is awful. I don’t know what it is about them, but they always seem to fail miserably, just like their drunken and violent fans.

There doesn’t seem to be a real stand-out group of death this tournament. Most of the powerhouses are pretty well separated out into their own groups although Group A will be tough (Mexico, France, and the hometown guys). Group G has both Brazil and Portugal, and Group H has Spain, who some place as a favorite this year.

When the action starts on Friday June 11, the games will be at 6:30 AM and 9 AM in the morning our time, but there is also an evening game which will be on at 1:30 PM. Set your TV recording unit or plan your vacation days accordingly. Team USA’s first game against England will be at 1:30 PM on Saturday June 12.